Aerosmith - Disc of the day

Aerosmith
Get Your Wings

(CBS, 1974)

The rise of America’s “hometown band” begins…

When Aerosmith’s self-titled 1973 debut stalled disappointingly at 166 in the US charts, the Bostonian five-piece responded with relentless bouts of touring in a bid to win over hearts and minds. Always a combustible live proposition, their hard graft paid off with the release of this make-or-break second set. A contretemps with initial producer Bob Ezrin saw Jack Douglas (left) assume the reigns, establishing a long lasting relationship between him and Steve Tyler and co, and delivering an album that crystallized the band’s brand of leonine, sleazy post-Stones hard rock via the Same Old Song And Dance, Lord Of The Thighs and SOS (Too Bad). Elsewhere, the mystical melodic prowess of the faux-live Seasons Of Wither (allegedly featuring Concert From Bangladesh crowd noise), and the slow building, sassy Pandora’s Box (featuring Michael Brecker on tenor sax) showcased Aerosmith’s expansive ambition, while their take on R&B star Tiny Bradshaw’s Train Kept A-Rollin’ – an Aero-live showstopper copped from The Yardbirds – served as a reminder of the band’s grittier roots. Propelled by more touring (this time supporting The Kinks), Get Your Wings rapidly went gold, setting the scene for the double whammy of Toys In The Attic (1975) and Rocks (1976), a brace of albums that confirmed Aerosmith as bona fide superstars.

Phil Alexander

Posted by Danny_Eccleston at 6:00 AM GMT 28/01/2008